What is the food parcel for pomană?
The food parcel for pomană is a form of pomană by which the family distributes food in memory of the departed. It is the alternative to the seated meal, easier to offer when there are many guests or they travel from afar.
The parcel is given after the service or at the grave, as a charitable offering. Those who receive it pray for the repose of the one being commemorated, according to Orthodox custom.
What does a food parcel contain?
The contents vary according to local tradition and the budget. A typical parcel contains:
- Colaci or bread — for blessing and distribution
- Koliva — in a small portion, packaged
- Sweets — biscuits, wafers, sweets
- Fruit — apples, oranges, bananas
- A candle — for prayer
- Sometimes a small bottle of wine or juice, or staple foods
Ready-to-eat parcel or staple foods
There are two kinds of parcels. The first contains ready-to-eat food — colaci, sweets, fruit — for those present at the commemoration.
The second contains staple foods — oil, flour, sugar, rice — given mainly to those in need, as lasting assistance. The choice depends on who the parcel is intended for.
How it differs from the memorial meal
The memorial meal is a seated lunch at which guests remain together. The parcel is an individual portion to take home.
The parcel is practical when there are many guests, when they travel from afar, or when there is no space for a large gathering. Many families combine both — a meal for close family, parcels for the rest.
To whom are the parcels given?
The parcels are given to participants at the service and at the pomană, to people at church, and especially to those in need. Tradition places emphasis on charity towards the poor.
At large commemorations, every person present receives a parcel. At smaller ones, parcels are given only to those who are not staying for the meal.
When are the food parcels given?
Parcels are offered at every commemorative occasion:
- At the burial — for those present who are not staying for the meal
- At the 40-day parastas and the other first-year commemorations
- At the annual commemorations, through 7 years
- At the Moșii and the Saturdays of the Dead, for all the family's departed
How many parcels are prepared?
The number is proportioned to those expected at the commemoration. For a large commemoration, dozens of parcels are prepared; for a small one, just a few.
We help you estimate correctly, so there are neither too few nor too many left over. Leftover parcels are given to those in need.
Parcels prepared by us
We prepare the pomană parcels according to local tradition and the budget, neatly packaged and ready to distribute. We coordinate them with the koliva, colaci, and the rest of the preparations.
The family chooses the number and the contents; we handle the rest. For a clear estimate, call us or see the free consultation page.
Food parcels at the major feasts
Pomană parcels are not given only at commemorations. At the major feasts, many families prepare parcels for those in need, in memory of the departed. The contents are suited to the feast:
- At Pascha — red eggs, cozonac (sweet bread), and pască, alongside colaci
- At Christmas — cozonac, festive sweets, and colaci
- At the Moșii — koliva, colaci, fruit, and staple foods
- At the Saturdays of the Dead — colaci and sweets, for all the departed